CBD is the latest panacea across the United States. It treats a plethora of conditions like insomnia, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia chronic pain, some cancers, anxiety and depression, to name a few.
If you enjoy the benefits of CBD and have to take a drug test for work, this may present a few problems for you. You’re going to have to sit down and evaluate what kind of cannabidiol you’re taking if you think the drug tests are sensitive to THC detection and whether you want to change your brand or form of cannabidiol.
If you’re using one that’s a full spectrum or ingesting oil extracted from certain cannabis species, then there are going to be trace amounts of THC. Visit Health Street to find what substances are tested on various drug panels commonly seen in employment drug testing.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
Unfortunately, not all cannabidiol oils are equal and the FDA considers it part of the vitamins and herbal supplements they don’t regulate. If you’re using one that’s a full spectrum or ingesting oil extracted from certain cannabis species, then there are going to be trace amounts of THC.
This is the chemical classified as a Schedule 1 drug that most people know as “getting high.” This is what most employers test for. THC is one out of thousands of cannabinoids the body already produces. When you increase the intake, the levels in your blood will raise too.
How can employer drug screenings detect THC and CBD?
If you’re itching to know, “my work drug tests – will CBD show up?” The answer is, maybe. Sorry, it’s not reassuring. You will have to do a little research to ensure you can still take C B D without tripping a positive result.
Modern drug tests analyze certain compounds rather than classes of chemicals. This means the tests detect only specific cannabinoids particular to the test. Some will look for any amount of THC and others could only look for THC-COOH, which is the main metabolite.
With the minuscule amount of THC contained in cannabidiol, most tests won’t be able to detect it. What’s more, no drug screening includes detection for CBD. So, it’s very unlikely that it will show up as positive but it’s not definite.
My work drug tests – will CBD show up?
If you’ve consumed CBD for a long period of time or ingest copious amounts of it and your drug test is super sensitive, it could show up with a positive result. Heck, you could’ve had a muffin with poppy seeds a day or two before your test and can get a false positive result. Some pharmaceuticals can also have the potential to return positive for THC.
How can I find out what kind of plants comprise the CBD I take?
So, if you have to undergo regular drug testing at work, you may have to do your due diligence and do some research into the cannabidiol you take. You will have to comb through the sea of products out there to ensure you know which plant the CBD comes from and its potency.
For instance, you want to ensure your cannabidiol comes from Cannabis Ruderalis, not from Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica. The last two cannabis species are the THC-producing types where people feel “high” after ingesting or smoking.
Sativa and Indica are still illegal in many states where as Ruderalis is hemp with a very low THC content. C B D oils derived from Indica or Sativa may cause a positive result on a drug test. If a manufacturer does not disclose their plant source, find another one that does.
Opt for CBD Isolates
If you have trepidations about employer drug screenings and have to use C B D, you can use C B D isolates. This is a fine, white powder without a taste or smell that’s soluble in water.
It’s far more concentrated, it won’t have any amount of THC and you won’t have to take much to get the same effect as you would the actual oil. You can put it on food, in drinks or place a small measurement under the tongue.
Final Notes
Because cannabidiol oils sit in the same group as vitamins and herbal supplements, they aren’t regulated. So, manufacturers don’t have to be forthcoming about the source of their plant extractions. They also don’t have be specific about their oil’s constituents.
Do Your Own Research
If your current brand doesn’t give much information about their C B D extractions, and you have reservations because of drug screenings for work, you should find another. This may take some digging and many hours of combing through the endless companies that offer CBD. If all else fails, go for the CBD isolates. This will ensure you stay on the safe side of things.
In the end, it will be worth it because you’ll be able to keep your job, take your drug test worry-free and continue your self-healing regimen. The point is to use your best judgment and analyze what you value most.